Have any of you turned frugality into wealth? Like it really paid off in the end?

I grew up with a cheap father. We didn't just shop at Goodwill we went to the Goodwill surplus store (The place that sells the junk that the normal Goodwill couldn't sell)

If we were in the shower too long he would turn off the hot water

He found a place that had free scrap wood. Nearly every day after work he would bring home a truck load of wood that we use for our fireplace. We had piles of wood all over the property just because it was free.

We were a lower middle class family. Dad just worked a normal job on the railroad. We were debt free and we had enough. But it never turned into being wealthy.

Naturally I picked up some of these habits. I cut corners on most things. I refused to drink coffee like everyone else. Cheap food. Never ever buy from a gas station or ball park where prices are high. I would drive with my tailgate down on my truck to save gas money (I found out later that it's worse for your fuel economy) I would cut my own hair. I would fix everything myself so I didnt have to pay anyone to do it. If my car (ALWAYS A HONDA CIVIC!!!) needed new tires I would buy another Honda civic and swap the tires and resell the car for a small profit. One time I pulled a dumb maneuver while driving and ended up hitting the back of a 1986 Lincoln Crown Vic. The guy had just started digging into his Burger King and it spilled all over him. He was a little spicy. I checked out his car and it had no damage really at all. He wanted to get insurance involved and I wasn't gonna let that happen of course. That would raise my rates! I noticed a for sale sign in the back window. I told him I would buy his car instead. We drove to the bank and I got him his money. Dropped him off at his house and went home. Later resold the car to a really weird guy who wanted to make payments on a $2000 car. (dont do this) I agreed and he actually came through. Made a few hundred bucks.

So I ask my fellow cheapskates, did it pay off for you? here's what it did for me

-I was always the guy people would ask for money from. I seemed to always have more than my friends

-I was able to travel often (cheaply of course)

-I had extra money to be able to invest and do things with. If I found a deal on a car or a trailer I could buy it and resell

-I was able to start working for myself in my early 20's. I used the last real job I had to purchase a flip house then quit shortly after. I saved enough to pay cash for small dumpy houses and renovate them

-I have never really had to worry about my bills. No debt. I lived modestly to where I had enough that I could live for a few years without making money

-Im not wealthy but being frugal gave me freedom. I recently started a few businesses from some inventions ive come up with and am funding them myself. Ive been able to take more risks and pursue different things.

So yes, I would say it paid off for me so far.

BUT If I could go back the one thing I would want to learn sooner is this: instead of looking for more ways to cut spending, look for more ways to increase your income

Whatever you do give it your best shot!!